The 76th anniversary of India’s independence is rapidly approaching, heightening patriotic sentiment. As the tricolour waves proudly and represents a long history of our country and its people, let us delve into the origins and significance of Raisina Hill.
The term Raisina Hills refers to the area in New Delhi that includes the most important government buildings, notably the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the palace of the President of India on a citadel atop Raisina Hill.
Raisina Hill: A look back
British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker were tasked with designing the entire city of New Delhi. The Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, North and South Blocks, the Record Office, and the renowned India Gate monument were all inaugurated in 1931.
The elevated ground provided a view of the entire city and other prominent sites in the distance, and a river stream not far from the area made it a suitable location for the British to establish their formal capital.
During the construction of New Delhi, 300 households were evacuated, and their land was acquired under the 1894 Land Acquisition Act. Originally, the region belonged to 150 villages comprising around 17,00 acres of land, largely populated by farmers, and was purchased from them in order to shift the capital from Kolkata to Delhi.
While some quietly ceded their properties, others wanted compensation, and after a long battle, the British administration eventually removed the villagers and began building of the government’s palace.
Raisina, Malcha, Kushak, Pelanjee, Dasgarah, Talkatora, and Motibagh were among the major villages that were completely uprooted from their original locations. Raisina Hill, the mainland for British control, was once called as Raisina Village.
Today, the region has become a monument, hosting the highest levels of government. The city has a history that has been neglected over the years, with people visiting the legendary India Gate in tribute of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.